Trooper did not follow protocol when putting a life vest on drowning victim

After going through recently obtained Highway Patrol documents, ABC 17 News discovered a trooper did not follow proper protocol when putting a life vest on a man who was handcuffed.

It has been four months since 20-year-old Brandon Ellingson drowned in Trooper Anthony Piercy’s custody.

Ellingson was arrested on suspicion of drinking while boating.

After a coroner’s inquest into Ellingson’s death early September, the jury ruled his death accidental.

Ellingson, from Clive, Iowa, went overboard while wearing handcuffs in Piercy’s Highway Patrol boat.

Following the recommendation by the jury, Ellingson’s father, Craig Ellingson, told ABC 17 News, “I was really disappointed at the outcome just based on the pure fact that he handcuffed him first and then put a life jacket over the top of him, that’s negligence.”

During the coroner’s inquest Piercy admitted he was never properly trained in the different types of life vests.

Piercy went through the Missouri Highway Patrol marine operation training which included survival swimming courses, DWI detection, and a tactical water survival course.

Captain Tim Hull with the Missouri Highway Patrol told ABC 17 News he could not go into detail about each course in Piercy’s training.

However, he did say every trooper is taught the general orders.

ABC 17 News requested the general orders regarding restraints and life vests.

ABC 17 found this pertaining to Ellingson’s death: “Any prisoner transported in a patrol vessel will have a properly attached and fastened U.S. Coast Guard approved personal flotation device of appropriate size and fit featuring with a collar designed to float an unconscious person face up with the person’s mouth out of the water.”

Piercy used a type III life vest, one that does not have a collar.

Brandon Ellingson’s father and lawyer have not gotten back to ABC 17 News today about what action they plan on taking next.